Shs3.8bn Fraud: Former Trade PS Geraldine Ssali, Three MPs Take Fresh Plea over War Loss Compensation

What the report says

KAMPALA — Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has moved the Shs3.8 billion war loss compensation case involving former Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali and five co-accused, including three sitting MPs, to a fresh plea stage after the prosecution amended the indictment. The revised charge sheet now contains 12 counts.

According to Watchdog Uganda, the accused are Ssali, Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudiimi, Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko and Leonard Kavundira, a principal cooperative officer in the Trade Ministry. All six denied the revised charges. The accusations include diversion of public resources, causing financial loss, abuse of office, money laundering, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to defraud.

The prosecution says Ssali improperly added Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited to a list of beneficiaries for war loss compensation and later authorized payments amounting to Shs3.8 billion to Kirya and Company Advocates. Prosecutors allege the disputed transactions formed part of a wider scheme between 2019 and 2023 involving compensation funds for cooperatives affected by the 1981–1986 liberation war.

Defense lawyers objected to the amended charges, arguing some figures were not supported by earlier summaries of evidence, but the judge allowed the revision at the pre-trial stage. The case matters because it involves large public funds, senior officials and elected legislators, and it is now moving toward full trial proceedings.